When the Red Sox signed left-hander Aroldis Chapman, they brought in one of the hardest throwers in MLB history and a guy who should immediately provide a boost to the club’s beleaguered bullpen.
They also brought in a player with some very serious baggage.
In 2016, Chapman became the first player suspended under MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy. Then a member of the Yankees, Chapman was suspended 30 games following an incident the prior fall in which he allegedly choked his girlfriend and fired eight shots from a handgun in the garage of his Florida home.
According to former Red Sox executive Zack Scott, the incident prompted the club to scuttle a deal that would have brought Chapman to Boston that same offseason. But nine years later the Red Sox reversed course, signing the now 36-year-old to a one-year, $10.75 million contract.
After 2015, we agreed to send Margot and Marco Hernandez to the Reds for Chapman, but it fell apart when we discovered disturbing details about his domestic dispute. We actually informed the Reds about it. We pivoted to Kimbrel, and Chapman went to the Yankees. I guess enough… https://t.co/gVkFoRIsgd
— Zack Scott (@ZackScottSports) December 3, 2024
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow addressed the decision last week at the Winter Meetings, telling reporters that they had conducted a thorough background check and felt comfortable signing Chapman based on the positive feedback they’d received from people associated with the five clubs he’s pitched for since the suspension.
Thursday, Chapman addressed the situation himself.
“Obviously it was a difficult process, but after the suspension I went to therapy, I went to see a doctor that I’m still friends with, we still talk, but it was a long process,” Chapman said via translator Carlos Villoria Benítez in a Zoom call with reporters. “At the same time that helped me to be a better person, a better teammate, a better person in the community.
“In regards to the Red Sox, I think they did their due diligence,” he continued. “They talked to a lot of people to make sure everything was in the past, and for me it’s good to be here.”
Open to any role
Though Chapman has extensive experience as a closer throughout his career, recording 335 saves in 15 MLB seasons, he’s primarily served as a set-up man over the past couple of years and may continue to pitch in that role with the Red Sox.
Asked if he’d discussed how he’ll be used with manager Alex Cora or pitching coach Andrew Bailey, Chapman said they’ve had conversations but not about his role in the bullpen.
“Yeah, we had time to talk but nothing about that,” Chapman said. “I don’t have any problem pitching in any kind of situation, I’ve pretty much been in every role in the bullpen, so any time they need me I’ll be ready to pitch.”
Dinner with Tiant
After defecting from his native Cuba in 2009, Chapman met with Red Sox officials at Fenway Park to discuss a possible contract. Though Chapman ultimately signed a six-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds, he said the meeting in Boston went well and he got to meet a fellow Cuban baseball legend, the late Luis Tiant.
“One of the first memories that I have coming here in 2009 was meeting David Ortiz, also (Daisuke) Matsuzaka, I met him, and Luis Tiant, he took me out for dinner when I was here,” he said.
Chapman also said he threw a few pitches for Red Sox officials while he was in town, which was an eye-opening experience.
“I remember it was very cold out there. I think it was snowing in the bullpen,” Chapman said. “So it was my first experience in this kind of weather.”
Aspiring leader
When discussing the signing last week, Breslow said one piece of feedback he received from Chapman’s former teams was that the veteran had become a leader within the clubhouse, particularly among fellow latino players. Chapman said that’s a responsibility he takes seriously and that he wants to be a positive influence on his teammates.
“Besides all the responsibilities I might have on the field, like the role I’m pitching, for me it’s very important to help young players. Not only on the big league roster but also in the minor leagues,” Chapman said. “For me it’s very important to help them, not only on the field but off the field also, with how to be a good person, how to behave and let them know they can always count on me.”
Chapman highlighted Francisco Cordero, Ramon Hernandez, Edgar Renteria and Scott Rolen as players who influenced him earlier in his career, and now he hopes to pay it forward.
Sox showed interest last year
During his remarks, Chapman revealed the Red Sox also expressed interest in signing him last offseason, but that he was too far along in negotiations with the Pittsburgh Pirates by the time Boston reached out.
This time, when the Red Sox made contact, things came together quickly.
“Yes, it was definitely something that was on my mind when the offseason started. Last year we had a few conversations but it was already late in the process and I’d already given my word to the Pirates,” Chapman said. “But yeah, happy to be here, this is a franchise that’s always looking to be in the playoffs, to win, and for me to be here is a huge honor. When they contacted me I knew this was somewhere I wanted to be and everything went very quickly.”
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